Boris Johnson has said "we are with the Ukranian people" in an address to the nation today.

The Ukranian government has confirmed 40 soldiers have been killed and several dozen have been injured after Russia launched several air strikes.

This morning, Ukraine’s president declared martial law, while Russia’s military said it had targeted Ukrainian air bases and other military assets and had not targeted populated areas.

Russian president Vladimir Putin announced the action during a televised address early this morning, saying the move was a response to threats from Ukraine.

He said Russia does not have a goal to occupy Ukraine, but the responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian “regime”.

He also warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen”.

Boris Johnson addressed the nation at midday and said: "Shortly after 4 o’clock this morning I spoke to president Zelenskyy of Ukraine to offer the continued support of the UK because our worst fears have now come true and all our warnings have proved tragically accurate.

"President Putin of Russia has unleashed war in our European continent. He has attacked a friendly country without any provocation and without any credible excuse.

"Innumerable missiles and bombs have been raining down on an entirely innocent population, a vast invasion is underway by land by sea and by air.

"And this is not in the infamous phrase some faraway country of which we know little. We have Ukrainian friends in this country; neighbours, co-workers.

"Ukraine is a country that for decades has enjoyed freedom and democracy and the right to choose its own destiny. We – and the world – cannot allow that freedom just to be snuffed out.

"We cannot and will not just look away.

"It is because we have been so alarmed in recent months at the Russian intimidation that the UK became one of the first countries in Europe to send defensive weaponry to help the Ukrainians.

"Other allies have now done the same and we will do what more we can in the days ahead. Today in concert with our allies we will agree a massive package of economic sanctions designed in time to hobble the Russian economy.

"And to that end we must also collectively cease the dependence on Russian oil and gas that for too long has given Putin his grip on western politics.

"Our mission is clear. Diplomatically, politically, economically – and eventually, militarily – this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure.

"And so I say to the people of Russia, whose president has just authorised a tidal wave of violence against a fellow Slavic people, the parents of Russian soldiers who will lose their lives, I cannot believe this is being done in your name or that you really want the pariah status it will bring to the Putin regime.

"And I say to the Ukrainians in this moment of agony we are with you, we are praying for you and your families and we are on your side.

'It is an attack on democracy and freedom...'

"And if the months ahead are grim, and the flame of freedom burns low.

"I know that it will blaze bright again in Ukraine because for all his bombs and tanks and missiles I don’t believe that the Russian dictator will ever subdue the national feeling of the Ukrainians and their passionate belief that their country should be free

"I say to the British people and all who have heard the threats from Putin against those who stand with Ukraine we will of course do everything to keep our country safe.

"We are joined in our outrage by friends and allies around the world.

"We will work with them – for however long it takes – to ensure that the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine is restored because this act of wanton and reckless aggression is an attack not just on Ukraine.

"It is an attack on democracy and freedom in East Europe and around the world.

"This crisis is about the right of a free, sovereign independent European people to choose their own future and that is a right that the UK will always defend."

MPs in Kent have reacted to the invasion this morning.

South Thanet MP Craig Macinklay said: "I have been proved wrong on Russia's designs over Ukraine.

"I felt that the incursion into the Donbas region of south-eastern Ukraine two days ago would be the extent of the conflict but we are now witnessing a full-scale invasion across many fronts.

"The West's response of sanctions and provision of advanced defensive weaponry proved to be little deterrence to the new imperialistic plans of President Putin. I personally doubt that further economic sanctions will prove to be much of a deterrence either and it is obvious that NATO and its allies will not be prepared to embark on a boots-on-the-ground campaign, clearly signalled by an ill-prepared US administration."

His fellow Thanet MP Sir Roger Gale said: "The situation is extremely dangerous. We should have done a lot more a lot sooner.

"The measures that were launched this week by the Prime Minister - in effect sanctioning three Russian residents and five businesses - was woefully inadequate and probably sent out all the wrong signals.

"Putin would have just treated it with derision, because it didn't send out a strong message, and neither did the rest of the world.

"The western world has got to wake up, and even at this late stage it's time to do something.

"Of course, Ukraine's not a member of NATO so putting troops on the ground isn't an option unless we want World War III on our hands.

"There are things we should have done a long time ago. We should have brought to an end the shameful use of London as a laundromat for Russian money.

"The time has come when we have to take action against Russians in the UK, and the use of UK facilities by Russia. And every other country in the western world should do the same."

Faversham and Mid Kent MP Helen Whately said: "President Putin's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is horrific and shocking, though sadly not a surprise. We cannot underestimate the seriousness of this moment.

“Together with our allies, we must and will meet this terrible act of aggression with a hard-hitting response. We stand with Ukraine. We stand for freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. My thoughts are with the people of Ukraine who we know share these values.

'Britain needs to stand for democracies against tyrannies and those who are being oppressed...'

"We have already imposed sanctions, and the Prime Minister has been clear that there will be more to come. We are determined that President Putin's grotesque attempt to achieve a historic legacy for himself will result in a legacy of failure.”

While Helen Grant, who represents Maidstone and The Weald, said: "My thoughts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people as this heinous, unprovoked attack by Russia unfolds.

"I am already engaged with constituents in Maidstone & The Weald who are directly affected, and my team will be doing all we can to help as they come to our attention.

"I echo the words of the Prime Minister that this is an attack on democracy everywhere. He has my full support in applying any sanctions deemed appropriate, alongside the international community.

"We absolutely must do all we can to counter the Russian advance into Europe, to prevent the Ukraine and other countries from disappearing behind a new Iron Curtain."

Tonbridge and Malling MP Mr Tugendhat told how the UK must be clear whose side it is on.

Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme: “Britain needs to stand for democracies against tyrannies and those who are being oppressed not those who are doing the oppressing," he said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning.

“In this case that means not only financial sanctions but on many other things like aeroplane parts, complex engineering items that aren’t made in other places.

“We need to be absolutely clear the decisions we take will defend the integrity of European nation states and punish those who seek for the first time since 1939 to change the borders of Europe by force.

“This is a vile act of war and aggression that can’t be tolerated by any party.”

Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson said: "There is no justification for this illegal act by President Putin, and he must be held to account for every death and injury that his forces inflict on the innocent Ukrainian population.

"The rest of the world must now unite in its condemnation of Russia. As a start, wide ranging economic and financial sanctions must immediately be placed on the Putin regime and its supporters. In addition, Russia should be censured by the United Nations and removed as a permanent member of its Security Council."